Hot Picks: Aug. 1-7

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July 31, 2013

** ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, JAN. 8-11 **Mickey Dolenz, former drummer of The Monkees, poses in New York, Dec. 20, 2003. Dolenz joins co-stars Michelle T. Williams, Will Chase and Lisa Brescia in the Broadway version of "Aida," the Tony Award-winning musical with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. (AP Photo/Jim Cooper)

Photo By courtesy photo

Will Makar and the Red Line.

Photo By courtesy photo

Will Makar and the Red Line.

Photo By courtesy photo

Will Makar.

Photo By Rick Fagan

musician Rob Zombie

Photo By Rick Fagan

musician Rob Zombie

Photo By Roger Feldhans

Friday 8.2
DJ
Miguel Migs: South Beach nightclub recently relaunched Friday nights as an EDM (electronic dance music) destination, and every week features a new DJ behind the turntables. Up next is Miguel Migs, who blends deep house with jazz, reggae, soul and more. He's produced a slew of remixes for everyone from Britney Spears to Lionel Richie. When: 9 p.m. Friday; Where: South Beach, 810 Pacific; Tickets: $10; 713-529-7623 or lockedin.net.

Photo By Universal Music

Pesado, norte o Mexican band.

Photo By Universal Music

Pesado, Mexican norte o band

Photo By courtesy photo

Miguel Migs blends deep house with jazz, reggae, soul and more. He s produced a slew of remixes for everyone from Britney Spears to Lionel Richie.

Photo By courtesy photo

Miguel Migs blends deep house with jazz, reggae, soul and more. He s produced a slew of remixes for everyone from Britney Spears to Lionel Richie.

Photo By courtesy photo

Miguel Migs blends deep house with jazz, reggae, soul and more. He s produced a slew of remixes for everyone from Britney Spears to Lionel Richie.

Photo By Mayra Beltran/Staff

Pepe Elizondo and Beto Zapata, of Pesado, perform at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at Reliant Stadium on March. 14, 2010 in Houston, TX. Photo by Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

Thursday 8.1

Concert

The Monkees: The Monkees was an idea before it was a band and, for that, insufferable rock purists have never forgiven the group. The Monkees' exclusion from snooty rock circles has made the band one of the most criminally under-appreciated pop acts of all time. They have scads of hits and numerous great songs that didn't hit the charts. Sadness fell on the group when Davy Jones died last year, but Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz (shown) are carrying on a reunion tour. When: 8 p.m. Thursday; Where: Arena Theatre, 7326 U.S. 59 S.; Tickets: $75-$95; 713-772-5900 orarenahouston.com.

friday 8.2

Festival

Houston International Jazz Festival: It's a bit of a bummer that drummer Sheila E. is no longer on the lineup, but the 23rd annual event still promises some solid performances. The three-day festival will include Texas Brass Band, fusion-rock artist SydneeJane, guitarist Jonathan Butler, saxophonist Elan Trotman, Los Skarnales, Yelba Heaton Roman and the Summer Jazz Workshop AllStars. The festival is also a fundraiser for Jazz Education, Inc., which is aimed at "keeping students involved in uplifting, enriching personal educational activities instead of being consumed by more dangerous paths." When: Friday-Sunday; Where: 51Fifteen at Saks in the Galleria, 5115 Westheimer (Friday); Bayou Music Center, 520 Texas (Saturday); and Wortham Center, 500 Texas (Sunday); Tickets: $15 and up; 713-839-7000 or houstoninternationaljazzfestival.com.

Concert

The Futurebirds: The Futurebirds are a fetching band of rootsy psych rockers from Georgia whose songs should appeal to folks who like Neil Young and My Morning Jacket. The band's "Baba Yaga" is among this year's standout recordings. When: 8 p.m. Friday; Where: Fitzgerald's (upstairs), 2706 White Oak; Tickets: $10-$12; 713-862-3838 or fitzlivemusic.com.

Theater

Houston Shakespeare Festival: This year's productions are the tragic historical romance "Antony and Cleopatra" and the fanciful romantic comedy "As You Like It." When: "Antony and Cleopatra" at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sunday, Tuesday and Aug. 8 and 10; "As You Like It" at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Wednesday and Aug. 9 and 11; Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park; Tickets: Free reserved-seat tickets are available at the Miller box office, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on the day of performance; Info:milleroutdoortheatre.com

Concert

Truth & Salvage Co: Hailing from North Carolina, Truth & Salvage Co. has an easy rootsy sound with pretty harmonies that suggest SoCal rock and pop acts from a generation ago. A promising self-titled album was issued four years ago, followed by touring and then a long silence. The sprightly new "Pick Me Up" breaks that silence. When: 8 p.m. Friday; Where: Fitzgerald's (downstairs), 2706 White Oak; Tickets: $10-$14; 713-862-3838 or fitzlivemusic.com.

DJ

Miguel Migs: South Beach nightclub recently relaunched Friday nights as an EDM (electronic dance music) destination, and every week features a new DJ behind the turntables. Up next is Miguel Migs, who blends deep house with jazz, reggae, soul and more. He's produced a slew of remixes for everyone from Britney Spears to Lionel Richie. When: 9 p.m. Friday; Where: South Beach, 810 Pacific; Tickets: $10; 713-529-7623 or lockedin.net.

Concert

Will Makar and the Red Line: Makar, who made the "American Idol" top 16 in 2006, moved to Austin from The Woodlands and has been working on music and building a fan base. His new single, "Perfect Waste of Time," precedes full album "Break Away," which balances pop melodies with radio-ready rock. This show serves as the proper release party. When: 8:30 p.m. Friday; Where: Dosey Doe Music Cafe, 463 FM 1488, Conroe; Tickets: $12; 936-271-2171 or doseydoescoffeeshop.com.

saturday 8.3

Music

Mayhem Festival: If your idea of a swell Saturday is ear-rattling hard rock and sweat-loosening heat, the Mayhem Festival is the event for you. The sweat will be courtesy of the sun. The rock courtesy of Rob Zombie, Mastodon, Five Finger Death Punch, Children of Bodom and more. Rock! Sweat! When: 1 p.m. Saturday; Where: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands; Tickets: $29-$89.50; 800-745-3000 or woodlandscenter.org.

Concert

Pesado: The norteño group looks unassuming, but its members are bonafide superstars. The Monterrey, Mexico, outfit holds one of the top 10 attendance records at RodeoHouston, and this arena date is no small feat for the genre. The show may be recorded for a forthcoming live album, so expect full-voice singalongs during the band's mournful drinking anthems (tequila shots are extra). When: 8 p.m. Saturday; Where: Toyota Center, 1510 Polk; Tickets: $35-$95; 866-446-8849 or houstontoyotacenter.com

Sunday 8.4

Concert

Eric Taylor: Georgia native Taylor was headed to California but stopped in Houston, where he became one of the most admired scribes in the thriving 1970s Montrose singer-songwriter scene. Most recently he re-recorded some of his older songs, so the new "Studio 10" is his first set of new original songs in six years. He'll return to his old stomping grounds to celebrate its release. When: 6 p.m. Sunday; Where: McGonigel's Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; Tickets: $20-$22; 713-528-5999 or www.mcgonigels.com.